Australia vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as Wallabies beat Springboks
The Wallabies and Springboks met in Adelaide looking to bounce back from defeats last time out
Australia bounced back from a humiliating loss in their last outing to beat world champions South Africa 25-17 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday to move to the top of the Rugby Championship standings.
Flanker Fraser McReight scored two tries and Man of the Match Marika Koroibete also crossed, with Noah Lolesio adding 10 points from the kicking tee in an assured performance at flyhalf.
The Springboks, looking for a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 2013, besieged the home try line for lengthy periods, but Handre Pollard’s penalty was their only reward until Kwagga Smith scored two tries in the last five minutes.
Argentina, who topped the standings after thrashing Australia 48-17 in San Juan two weeks ago, take on the All Blacks in Christchurch in the second match of the round later on Saturday.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 79 minutes
THE LINEOUT ISN’T STRAIGHT! Codie Taylor’s throw drifts to the outside hand of Scott Barrett and Argentina are 60 seconds away from victory.
The visitors are almost there. One solid scrum may be all that is required. Stephen Perofeta makes his debut for the All Blacks, arriving just in time, perhaps, for the last rites.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 78 minutes
Close-in carriers. Ardie Savea first, Akira Ioane second, a powerful one-two punch but unable to make significant metres. Jordie Barrett nearly does, cutting back and stepping savagely, but he’s cut down. An All Blacks clearer enters from the side - back for the penalty.
A minute and a half left as New Zealand kick into the corner. The wondrous Julian Montoya finally takes permanent leave - Santiago Socino on to try and see it out...
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 77 minutes
New Zealand start to again bang on that sturdy Argentine door. Will Jordan arrives at speed, and is taken high. Just a penalty, but a bit more freedom for the All Blacks to play with as Nika Amashukeli invites them to continue with the advantage.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 76 minutes
More lineout woe for New Zealand and the ball is back in the hands of Argentina! A timely hand from Guido Petti to steal it.
Tomas Cubelli hooks a boxed clearance away.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 75 minutes
Julian Montoya is still going strong in the centre of that Argentina front row. He did spend a little time off the field in the first half to receive some treatment on a wound to the head, but this has been a remarkable, tireless effort from the skipper.
A crucial scrum from the All Blacks! Eduardo Bello is forced to turn in on the Argentina tighthead and the penalty goes New Zealand’s way.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 73 minutes
Still the intensity is incredible from Argentina, so certainly sniffing a famous victory. Ardie Savea collects on the bounce and is beaten back, Marcos Kremer delivering a drubbing.
Another brace of buffetings and New Zealand knock on!
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 72 minutes
Emiliano Boffelli turns down a shot at goal from wide on the right and just inside his own half - a mild surprise after the night he has had with the boot. Argentina’s maul never quite coalesces after the lineout, and the All Blacks to some strong scavenging work to win a penalty.
Santiago Cordero is on in the Argentina back three.
Yellow card! New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 70 minutes
Stephen Perofeta still waits for a debut as Quinn Tupaea steps in for Rieko Ioane in the All Blacks midfield.
Argentina maul superbly up the right, advancing at a rate of knots and eventually felled by Shannon Frizell...
Illegally! Shannon Frizell is sent to the sin bin! Piercing in at the side, attacking the knees to cause the collapse and shown yellow with Nika Amashukeli finally out of patience with New Zealand’s ill discipline.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 69 minutes
Matias Orlando might have got away with one there - I’m not sure he was fully back on his feet before contesting, but he came up with the turnover and Nika Amashukeli’s shrug and spread arms indicated he felt there was little wrong with the centre’s effort.
11 minutes to play. Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand. This has been an extraordinary defensive effort - just seven missed tackles compared to 130 made.
New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, 68 minutes
The All Blacks explore left and right in search of an opneing but the Argentina defence looks organised, as it has done all night. George Bower enters the 22, but Will Jordan is short of options on the right, forced to ship the ball back to Finlay Christie. Shannon Frizell carries in close, but Rieko Ioane is turned over as he takes a switch from Richie Mo’unga! Another timely intervention at the ruck from Argentina, and a penalty to the visitors, too!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments